The Tudor era was one of the most tumultuous in English history; battles were fought, hearts were won and the country changed religion three times. During these years, England became richer than ever. By consequence, many Tudor towns grew in size with beautiful houses and civic buildings. Market houses, schools, churches and manor homes were all built. The arts and culture flourished too and design reached unprecedented levels. This was an era of prosperity and its wealth is witnessed in England’s finest Tudor towns.
Here are the best Tudor towns in England. Enjoy!
Tudor Towns in England
- Lavenham
- Thaxted
- Wymondham
- Saffron Walden
- Norwich
- Warwick
- Ledbury
- Shrewsbury
- Ludlow
- Stratford upon Avon
- Weobley
- Faversham
- Midhurst
- Chiddingstone
- Tewkesbury
- Totnes
- Sherborne
- Burford
- Nantwich
- Chester
Tudor Towns in England
Tudor towns In East England
1 .Lavenham
Lavenham in Suffolk is possibly the best preserved Tudor market town in England with glorious timbered buildings frozen in time. It’s widely acknowledged as the best example of a medieval wool town in England. Though Lavenham made most of its wealth in the centuries before the Tudor reign, it continued to do well in the 16th century. Indeed, in Tudor times, Lavenham was the fourteenth wealthiest town in England.
Like many boomtowns of this period, Lavenham made its wealth from wool (which was exported across Europe). The profits were poured into building fine timber-framed buildings and a beautiful church (regarded as one of England’s finest). Most of the buildings date from the 15th century and many of these were never altered due to the decline of the weaving industry in Tudor times. Consequently it’s very much unchanged from when Henry VIII was in power.
2. Thaxted
Thaxted started life as a Saxon settlement. However in the middle ages, it prospered uniquely as a centre for cutlery production. Cutlery kept the town going for a number of years, supplemented by a market and agriculture. However, in the Tudor era the town was incorporated, representing a new point in the town’s fortunes. Unfortunately prosperity was short lived and the charter was extinguished in 1686. This left Thaxted pretty much as it was at this time, a timber town of commerce.
Today, Thaxted remains just as picturesque as it did when Henry VIII was on the throne. Key Tudor landmarks include the Grade I listed medieval moot hall and purple-hued recorder’s house, which includes carvings bearing the arms of Edwards VI.
3. Wymondham
Wymondham is among the least discovered Tudor towns in England, nestled in the Norfolk countryside. Similarly to many boomtowns in Tudor times, Wymondham was a centre of the wool trade. The coveted material was traded at 16th century Market Cross, raised up on stilts like a stork with spindly legs. Such was Wymondham a hive of activity in the Tudor era that a rebellion was led by a local man in 1549 against the Lord protector Edward VI.
Today, Wymondham is blessed with many architectural treasures and Elizabethan and Jacobean buildings cluster round the market square. With a fine medieval abbey and a market history stretching back to 1204, it’s a Tudor treasure to behold.
4. Saffron Walden
For a genuine example of how towns in Essex and Suffolk looked when Elizabeth I was on the throne, head to Saffron Walden. Like nearby Lavenham, Saffron Walden was a medieval wool town; the money of which went into building its spectacular parish church. Sometime in the 14th century, the town turned its attention to growing Saffron. So lucrative was the crop in Tudor times that the town changed its name from Chepyng Walden to Saffron in 1582.
Today, Saffron Walden is one of the best places in England to see medieval and Tudor timber-framed shops, inns and townhouses. The finest are to be found clustered around Market Hill and Church Street, though the picture-postcard Castle Street is the town’s most iconic scene. What’s more, unlike the towns of Chester and Shrewsbury, Saffron developed little in the proceeding centuries, making it a cosy little place with plenty of Tudor charm.
5. Norwich
In order to catch a near-perfect view of what Tudor England would have looked like, head to Norwich. Up until the 18th century, Norwich was the second largest city in England. Like many other towns on this list, Norwich prospered as a wool town and port. In Tudor times, the city was at its peak, partly thanks to the influx of Dutch and Flemish weavers who revived its ailing textile industry. This didn’t stop it from becoming the site of a rebellion against the king in 1549.
Today, though Norwich has developed far beyond its Tudor street-plan, it retains pockets of 16th century charm. The most spectacular site is Elm Hill, a historic cobbled lane with many buildings dating back to the Tudor period. However, the legacy of Tudor Norwich can be found in (almost) every corner here.
Tudor Towns in West Midlands, England
6. Warwick
Warwick, home to the infamous Warwick Castle, is one of the finest Tudor towns in England. Although the settlement dates to before the Norman Conquest, Warwick really came into its own in the 16th century. Following the building of the castle, the town became a thriving market town with a priory. The castle was rebuilt in the 16th century and is the finest Tudor building to survive the ‘Great Fire of Warwick’ (when most of the medieval town centre was destroyed).
Today, the town of Warwick still retains a handsome array of Tudor and medieval buildings. Exploring its narrow alleyway and timbered cottages, you feel as though time has stood still since old Henry VIII was on the throne.
7. Ledbury
Ledbury is yet another fine Tudor town in the West Midlands. Though Ledbury’s origins date back to before the Norman conquest, the town really came into its own in the 16th century. During the Tudor period, Ledbury’s cloth trade was flourishing and its market attracted visitors from across the West Midlands. The town’s fortunes were poured into building fine timber edificies, a large number of which have stood the test of time. This was partly due to the fact that no battles took place here during the English Civil War, when many Tudor buildings were destroyed.
Today, Ledbury is renowned for its fine timber-framed structures, in particular along Church Lane and High Street. Two of the most famous buildings in the town include the Feathers Hotel and glorious Market House, both dating to the Tudor period.
8. Shrewsbury
Close to the Welsh border, Shrewsbury has long been an important settlement. The town’s known history comes from the early medieval era when it received a castle and abbey. Like Lavenham, Shrewsbury was at its height of commercial importance in the 14th century, when it controlled the Welsh wool trade.
Though Henry VIII dissolved the town’s monastery in the Tudor era, Shrewsbury continued to prosper. During this time, many merchants commissioned fine townhouses to testify their wealth. The finest is Ireland’s Mansion, a grand half-timbered building spanning four bays with three stories. Today, Shrewsbury retains its medieval street pattern, with many fine Tudor buildings and narrow alleyways. This makes it one of the best preserved Tudor towns in England.
9. Ludlow
Considered “the loveliest town in England“, Ludlow is an architectural treasure. Despite existing sometime before, the planned town of Ludlow was formed during the 12th century. Principally the town’s role was military, as a frontier on the Welsh Border. However, in the 15th century, the town grew in political importance when the castle became the seat from which Wales was ruled. So important was Ludlow, that it was home to King Edward IV and Arthur Tudor when they held the title of Prince of Wales.
The Tudor era saw Ludlow prosper from mercantile and political wealth. During this period, the town served as the effective capital of Wales as was a centre for goods and services. It was at this time that many fine timber-framed buildings went up, the finest being ‘The Feathers’ (now a hotel). Today, Ludlow retains its medieval street plan and many grand edifices from the Tudor era, with Georgian additions alongside. This places it among the best preserved Tudor towns in England.
10. Stratford upon Avon
One of the most famous names of the Tudor era is William Shakespeare and his hometown – Stratford-upon-Avon – is one of England’s finest Tudor towns. Stratford-upon-Avon started as a Saxon settlement, growing to become a market town in the 12th century. Unlike Lavenham, Stratford-upon-Avon’s wealth came from its role as a centre for goods and services. The town’s importance at this time is reflected in it being re-awarded a grammar school in 1553 by King Edward VI.
Many of the town’s buildings have been kept in their original state since this time. Today, Stratford is characterised by its many rows of its black and white timber buildings, firmly in the Tudor architectural tradition.
11. Weobley
Weobley is much less famous than the other Tudor village on the list, Chiddingstone. However, it is equal in its Tudor architecture. The first recording of Weobley dates to the Saxon era and by the 13th century, it was a thriving market town with a castle. So deep runs the Tudor history of Weobley that Henry Tudor himself lived here for several months when he was a child. Robert Devereux – the rumoured lover of Elizabeth I – was the son of the local Lord of the Manor.
Today, Weobley retains a fine array of timbered Tudor buildings. The village remains largely frozen in time thanks to economic decline in the 17th century. Such was the Tudor settlement abandoned that it was declared a ‘rotten borough’ in the 19th century (on account of its low population). Today, it is one of the best examples of Ye Olde Tudor England with very few tourists.
Tudor Towns in South East England
12. Faversham
Faversham is a historic settlement, with a presence since pre-Roman times. The town was home to an ancient sea port and abbey, and prospered throughout the middle ages. Despite the dissolution of the monasteries, Faversham became an important seaport and brewing town during the Tudor era. It also became the centre of the explosives industry in the 17th century, helping fuel Elizabeth I’s wars.
Today Faversham has over 300 listed buildings with many fine Tudor buildings including the aptly named ‘Tudor House’. Indeed, Abbey Street is one of finest medieval streets in England. This places Faversham among the best preserved Tudor towns in England.
13. Midhurst
Midhurst, like Nantwich, is a less visited Tudor town. However, it retains all the charm and character of the 16th century. Like many towns on this list, Midhurst started out as a Saxon village, growing to become a busy market town and popular coaching stop. By the Tudor era it was a flourishing centre of commerce, with Henry VII’s own uncle building a mansion here (the now ruined Cowdray House).
Today the town of Midhurst is characterised by its picture-postcard Tudor architecture. Nearly all the buildings clustered round the Market Square are Tudor in origin, the loveliest being the 15th century Spread Eagle Hotel (a former coaching inn). Even the apparently Georgian buildings are just facades disguising Tudor constructions. This makes Midhurst the finest Tudor market town in the south east.
14. Chiddingstone
So Chiddingstone is actually a village, not a town. However, it is the most perfectly preserved Tudor settlement in England. Chiddingstone is so historic that the National Trust purchased the village in 1937 to secure it for the nation. Chiddinstone’s origins date to before the Norman conquest. However, it became a place for goods and services.
So old is the village of Chiddingstone that it is said to have the oldest sweetshop in England (first recorded in 1453). You can still visit the shop today before strolling to the local manor house, once owned by the father of Anne Boleyn. Today, Chiddingstone is full of 16th century charm, with numerous Tudor buildings with half-timbered walls, glorious gables and red-tiled roofs.
Tudor Towns in South West England
15. Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury is one of the most perfectly preserved settlements in the UK. The town has a long history and is most famous for its 12th century abbey church, which acts as the centre point for an array of tudor and medieval buildings. Tewkesbury made its name as a centre for goods and services, and in Tudor times was famous for mustard (Shakespeare’s character Falstaff has the line “Wit as thick as Tewkesbury mustard”).
Today, Tewksbury is a treasure-trove of narrow alleyways, winding streets and timber framed buildings. The town has the longest and best preserved medieval terrace in the country (St Mary’s Lane) and numerous Tudor constructions. What’s more, Tewkesbury is often overlooked due its proximity to the Cotswolds so is spared from hoards of tourists. This places it among the best preserved Tudor towns in the UK.
16. Totnes
Totnes is the finest Tudor location in south west England. The town has a long recorded history dating back to 907, when Totnes Castle was first built. By the 12th century it had become an important market town, and this wealth and prosperity continued into the Tudor era. By 1523, Totnes was the 16th richest town in England and its prosperity prompted King Edward VI to commission a Guildhall and a school to be formed.
Unlike Ludlow (which was a planned town with a grid pattern), Totnes high street winds and curves. Walking along it you can not but admire its Tudor history with timber merchant houses and a Tudor walkway built to protect dairy products from the sun and rain. Even those with tile fronts are really Tudor buildings beneath. Today, Totnes is a great place to explore the 16th century and also a popular hippy town.
17. Sherborne
So deep runs the Tudor history of Sherborne that it was used as a filming location in the BBC Tudor drama ‘Wolf Hall’. Sherborne has an ancient history, becoming a medieval market town with an abbey. The town was at its most glorious during the Tudor period when Edward VI granted Sherborne a public school. Such was Sherborne a place to be that Elizabethan courtier Sir Walter Ralegh built a Tudor mansion here. You can still visit the castle today.
Today, Sherborne retains many fine stone buildings from the Tudor period. One of the most iconic is the 16th century conduit, while the 15th Century almshouses present a golden image of medieval piety.
18. Burford
One of the gems of the Cotswolds, Burford is a 16th Century town frozen in time. Burford started out as a medieval wool town. However, its greatest wealth was experienced in the 16th century. Earlier town houses were built of timber. However, as stone became cheaper in Tudor times, many houses were resurfaced with Cotswolds stone. This was because Burford had to attract travellers when it became a coaching town in the 1600s. Keeping an up-to-date appearance was key to this.
Today, Burford has changed little since its 16th century heyday. This is largely because road improvements in the Georgian era directed traffic away from the medieval town. This means Burford was preserved from the ravages of time, remaining a perfectly preserved Tudor settlement. Today, you can wander down its winding streets, past crooked buildings and country inns.
Tudor Towns in North West England
19. Nantwich
Nantwich is one of the lesser visited Tudor towns in England, overshadowed by nearby Chester. However, it has some of the finest Tudor town buildings in the North-West. Nantwich has Roman origins, however it really made its wealth producing salt in the medieval era. By Tudor times, Nantwich was one of the wealthiest settlements in England, with a market and grammar school. However, most of the town burnt down during the ‘Great Fire of Nantwich’ in 1583.
Today, despite the fire, Nantwich remains a Tudor town at heart with a stunning array of 16th century buildings. The finest is Churche’s Mansion – a timbered mansion built in 1577 for a wealthy Nantwich merchant. However, the town centre is dotted with quaint, crooked buildings, taking you back to the time when Elizabeth I was on the throne.
20. Chester
You couldn’t write an article on Tudor Towns in England without including Chester. Though Chester has far outgrown its Tudor days, it retains a glorious array of 16th century buildings, plucked right from Shakespearean England. Chester started life as a Roman town, growing to become a medieval port and market town. By the time of the Tudors, Chester was seriously wealthy and many of the town’s tiered black and white buildings date to this time.
Today, Chester retains more of its Tudor charm than any other city in North England. The highlight of the town is said to be its ‘Rows’ – covered Tudor walkways concealing shops of multiple stories. However, there are numerous Tudor delights to be found, most of which can be viewed from the city’s Roman walls.
Georgian Towns in England
If you have a soft spot for Georgian history and architecture then make sure to read my article 20 Georgian Towns in England. Many of England’s medieval towns evolved to become glorious Georgian Market Towns. Find out the best here!